Gummed label applying device



Nov. 8, 1955 A. F. KRONMAN GUMMED LABEL APPLYING DEVICE Filed Feb. l5, 1954 au I; HMH? United States latentI 2,723,043 Patented Nov. 8, 1955 GUMMED LABEL APPLYNG DEVICE Albert F. Kronman, Lattingtown Harbor, N. Y.

Application February 15, 1954, Serial No. 410,101

8 Claims. (Cl. 216-35) the perforations into a plurality of individual labels.l In

applying these labels to mailing pieces, packages or the like, it has been found that much time is consumed in the handling of said labels'. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for applying labels to-mailing pieces at great speed and with accuracy of placement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a label applying device which will hold a plurality of labels, moisten said labels, and apply the labels one by one with only a single motion on the part of the operator.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a label applying device of compact size and light weight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a label applying device which can be used on vertical, and overhead as well as horizontal surfaces.

A feature of the present invention is its novel label feeding structure.

Another feature of the present invention is its label applying magazine.

A further feature of the present invention is its single operation action for individual moistening and applying labels.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of part-s, as herein illustrated, described and claimed'.

In the-accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention, in `which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a complete embodiment of the label applying device according to the present invention with certain parts cut away to show the construction thereof. Y

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the label applying device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3i is a view in perspective somewhat reduced. of a label holding magazine in accordance with the pres,- ent'invention with certain parts cut away to show the construction thereof.

Figure 4 isa view taken on line 4-4 in Figure l.

Figure 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 in Figure l:

Figure 6 .is a vertical section taken through the clutch mechanism for operating the label wiping arm shown in Figure l. Y

Referring to `the drawings 'and specifically tothe Figi ures l and '2, 10 indicates a frame comprising spaced lateral walls I1, said walls being joined by a horizontal top member 12. The top member 12 is provided as indicated at 13 with an upstanding post 14. A hollow actuating handle 15 is slidably secured at the top of the post 14. The actuating handle 15 is supported by a substantially U shaped bracket 16 which extends downwardly from the handle so asto partially overlie the outside of the wall members 11. The bracket 16 slides over the wall members 11 as the handle 15 is pushed down upon the post 14.

A coil spring member 17 is disposed within the handle 15 and bears against the top of the post 14 so as to return the handle 15 and the bracket 16 to its uppermost position when pressure is released from the actuating handle 15.

The" bracket 16 is provided with downwardly extending arms 18, which arms are cut away at their lowermost ends, as indicated at 19, to receive axle members 20. The axle members'20 are slidable within a longitudinal guide slot 22 which is cut in each of the side walls 11-. The axle members 20 extend through the guide slots 22 and are secured tothe side of the magazine 21 between the walls of the channel members 23. Bracket arms 18 are provided with spaced guide pins 30 on either side of the slot 19 at the lower end of the side arms 18. The guide pins 30 ride in vertical elongated openings 31, which are cut into the walls 11 of the frame 10 oneither side of the guide slot 22. The walls 11 of the frame 10 are provided with inwardly extending pins 32 which are located at a point o'n said walls which will enable said pinsl 32 to extend between the channel members 23 of the magazine 21. The guide slot 22 in each wall 11 curves around the pin 32 as shown at 49 for a hereinafter described purpose.

The magazine 21, best shown in Figure 3consists of a rectangular box shaped receptacle open at one end, as

indicatedvat 24. A narrow lip 25 overlies a portion of the opening 24 at each end thereof for a hereinafter disclosed purpose. A spring member 26 is carried in the bottom of the magazine 21 and is preferably formed of flat spring stock folded upon itself, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. A pressure plate 27 may be carriedl upon the top of the spring member 26 for the purpose of urging labels 28 placed within the magazine 21 toward the opening 24.

The magazine 21 is carried within the frame 10 so that when the-actuating handle 15is at its uppermost position',

' the opening 24 of the magazine 21'lies at the topof the magazine.

A 'label wetting pad 29 is carried on the frame 10 on the lower surface of the top member 12 thereof. It will thus appear that when the actuating handle 15 is released, the

magazine 21 will be in a position which Will bring the p topmost labeli28 against the wetting pad 29. When the hand-le 15 is depressed', it will force the arms 18 of the bracket 16 down along the guide slots 22, 31. The opening 19 in each of the arms 18 will carry the axle member 20'downwardly along the guide slot 22. When the axle member 20 traverses the offset portion 49 of the guide slot 22, it will cause the magazine to rotate aboutthe pin 32 so'as to bring the opening 24 of the magazine 21V above the surface 33 upon which the label applying device is resting. Thereafter, further pressure on the handle 15 will bring `the topmost label in the magazine in contact with the surface 33.

As the magazine 21 is rotated, the topmost label 28 is indexed for the purpose of aiding in the applying of said label.- The indexing operation is carried 'out by means of a cam 34- which is secured to a rod 35, which. rod is rotatably carried by an arm 50 extending from thel is provided-with-a slot 36. The'slot 36 is adapted to re- `ceive' therein, the jaw 37 of a driving rod 38. The bottom of the driving rod 38 is slidably carried within a guide housing 39 within which is journalleda guide plate 40 held in place by a snap ring 41. The driving rod 38 which may be in the nature of a at strip is twisted in the manner shovvn in Figures 1 and 2 so that its edges are helically disposed with respect to its longitudinal axis. A driving arm 42 is secured at one end to the bracket 16 and extends laterally from the said bracket so as to overlie the arm 50.l v

The driving arm 42 is provided with an opening indicated at 43, which freely receives the driving rod 3B. A thimble member 44 is secured to the top of the driving armv 42 so as to overlie the opening 43 therein. The thimble member 44 is bored, as indicated at 45, adjacent the lower edge thereof to provide a bearing surface to receive a nut 46. The nut 46 which is pierced by an opening which conforms to the cross sectional shape of the driving rod 38 is shiftable vertically within the thimble 44 for a short distance. The nut does not rotate within the said thimble. The nut 46 slidably engages the driving rod 38. As the driving arm 42 moves downwardly in response to pressure on the actuating handle 15, the nut 46 is forced against the shoulder 47 at the end of the bore 45 of the thimble 44. Thereafter, the nut 46 slides along the driving rod 38, causing said rod to rotate as the nut moves along the helical length of said rod. After the nut 46 hits the shoulder 47 and before it slides along the driving rod 38, it will force the jaw 37 into the slot 36 in the vertical rod 35. Thereafter, the rotation of the driving rod 38 will be imparted to the cam 34.

The' twist of the driving rod 38 and the travel of the nut 46 therealong is arranged so that the label contacting face 48'of the cam 34 will meet the surface of the topmost label 28 at a time when the magazine 21 is in ythe horizontal position of its rotational movement. The face 48 of the cam may be knurled to increase its frictional Contact with the label.

Thereafter, the travel 'of the nut 46 will move the cam face 4S out of the path of the magazine 21 until the next cycle. When the actuating handle 15 is released, the driving arm 42 moves upwardly due to the action of the spring 17 until it contacts the nut 46 within the thimble 34. The driving rod 38 is thereby lifted out of the slot 36 and the subsequent rotation of the driving rod 38 as the nut 46 slides upwardly along its length will not be imparted to the cam 34, The cam 34 accordingly does not interfere with the return of the magazine 21 following the label applying operation.

By reason of the operation of the cam 34, the topmost label 2S is pulled from under one of the lips 25 in the magazine 21. The moisture applied to the gummed surface of the label provides suicient force upon contact with the surface 33 to withdraw the topmost label from under the second lip 2S and out of the magazine 21. Accordingly, a single label may be dispensed at each operation with rapidity and accuracy. The operation of the above described label applying device will be apparent from the structure set forth. The user of the device merely fills the magazine 21 with a series of gummed labels 2S so that each of the labels is disposed with its gummed surface lying in the direction of the magazine opening 24. In forcing the labels into the magazine, the plate 27 will be 'forced against the spring 26, thereby compressing the spring. The pad 29 is moistened and the machine is then ready for use. All of the'labels will be retained in place by the sides of the magazine 21, theplate 27 and the overlying lips 25.

it is merely necessary to place the dispensing device upon a given surface 33 and force the actuating handle 15 down to the limit of its travel. The moistened label will thereupon be applied to the surface and the dispenser may be removed from said surface.' vAs the dispenser is removed, the magazinel 21 will. rotate through an arc of 180, bringing the next label 2g into contact with the moistening pad 29 so that it may be applied to a surface 4 with the single motion of forcing the dispenser against said surface by means of the actuating handle15.

I claim:

l. A label applying device comprising, a frame, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a bracket member overlying the frame, said bracket and magazine being interconnected, spring means located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, a driving arm carried at one end by the bracket above said rod, a driving bar slidably and rotatably supported by the arm and engageable with the rod so as to impart its rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated within the frame to swing the magazine into label applying position and the Cam is caused to frictionally engage the label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

2. A label applying device comprising, a frame having a substantially inverted U shape, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a bracket member having a substantially inverted U shape overlying the frame, said bracket and magazine being interconnected, spring means located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, a driving arm carried at one end by the bracket above said rod, a driving bar slidably and rotatably supported by the'arm and engageable with the rod so as to impart its rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated within the frame to swing the magazine into label applying position and the cam is caused to frictionally engage the label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

3. A label applying device comprising, a frame, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a channel shaped member on each side of the magazine adjacent the frame, a bracket member overlying the frame, slidably opposed axle members carried by the magazine between the channel shaped members and extending laterally therefrom, said bracket and magazine being interconnected by the axle members, spring means located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, a driving arm carried at one end by the bracket above said rod, a driving bar slidably and rotatably supported by the arm and engageable with the rod so as to impart its rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated within the frame to swing the magazine into label applying position and the cam is caused to frictionaliy engage the label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

l 4. A label applying device comprising, a frame having a substantially inverted U shape, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a channel shaped member on each side of the magazine adjacent the frame, a bracket member having a substantially inverted U shape overlying the frame, slidably opposed axle members carried by the magazine between the channel shaped members and extending laterally therefrom, said bracket and magazine being interconnected by the axle members, spring means together with a flat plate secured to said spring located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, a driving arm carried at one end by the bracket above said rod, a driving bar slidably and rotatably supported by the arm and engageable with the rod so as to impart its rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated within the frame to swing7 the magazine into label applying position and the cam is caused to frictionally engage thev label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

5. A label applying device comprising, a frame, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a bracket member overlying the frame, said bracket and magazine being interconnected, spring means located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, said rod having a slotted head at the upper end thereof, a driving arm carried at one end of the bracket above said rod, a driving bar slidably and rotatably supported by the arm, said bar having a ilat portion at the lower end thereof engageable with the rod so as to impart its rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated within the frame to swing the magazine into label applying position and the cam is caused to frictionally engage the label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

6. A label applying device comprising, a frame, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a bracket member overlying the frame, said bracket and magazine being interconnected, spring means located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, a driving arm carried at one end by the bracket above said rod, said arm having a slot near the free end thereof, a driving bar consisting of an elongated twisted member slidably and rotatably supported by the walls of the arm and engageable with the rod so as to impart its rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated within the frame to swing the magazine into label applying position and the cam is caused to frictionally engage the label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

7. A label applying device comprising, a frame having a substantially inverted U shape, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a channel shaped member on each side of the magazine adjacent the frame, a bracket member having a substantially inverted U shape overlying the frame, opposed axle members carried by the magazine between the channel shaped members and extending laterally therefrom, said bracket and magazine being interconnected by the axle members, spring means together with a llat plate secured to said spring located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, said rod having a slotted head at the upper end thereof, a driving arm carried at one end by the bracket above said rod, said arm having a slot near the free end thereof, a driving bar consisting of an elongated twisted member slidably and rotatably supported by the walls of the slot in the arm, said bar having a flat portion at the lower end thereof engageable with the rod slot so as to impart itsl rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated Within the frame to swing the magazine into label applying position and the cam is caused to frictionally engage the label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

8. A label applying device comprising, a frame having a substantially inverted U-shape, a label receiving and dispensing magazine rotatably carried within said frame, a channel shaped member on each side of the magazine adjacent the frame, a bracket member having a substantially inverted U shape overlying the frame, opposed axle members carried by the magazine between the channel shaped members and extending laterally therefrom, said bracket and magazine being interconnected, spring means located within the magazine adapted to force labels toward the dispensing end of the magazine, opposed label retaining tlanges overlying a portion of the dispensing end of said magazine, a rod rotatably secured to said frame, a driving arm carried at one end by the bracket above said rod, a driving bar slidably and rotatably supported by the arm and engageable withl the rod so as to impart its rotary motion to said rod, a label indexing cam secured to the rod and handle means for forcing the bracket toward the frame whereby the magazine is rotated within the frame to swing the magazine into label applying position and the cam is caused to frictionally engage the label to be applied during the rotation of said magazine.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 540,599 Rollandet June 4, 1895 1,443,090 Peters Ian. 23, 1923 2,502,257 Hawkins et al Mar. 28, 1950 

